Some animation help

shollis2814

Hello all,

A little background: I teach a first year Computer Applications course. In previous years we have used some game creation software that is no longer supported by later versions of OS X. So, this is my first year using GameSalad. I am staying one step ahead of my students since I just realized this a few weeks ago.

I have them build a game in baby steps. First they replace the images in the Platformer Template to understand the basic animation concept.

I have discovered that you can copy Actors from one project to another by dragging them from the source actor window to the new project, and then importing the animation frames. Where I am stuck is in creating a new project from scratch. I can't quite figure out how to make the ground actor actually be...well, ground. Instead of walking, the character floats. I know I need a collision rule, but I'm still feeling my way around.

And sorry if this has been covered. I am working my way through the manual, and I did search the forums, but didn't find anything.

Thanks in advance!

shollis2814

OK, I may have answered my own question, at least partially. Is the 'solid' actor an invisible actor that acts as a mask of sorts? I was looking at the Platformer Template scene and noticed I could click on the background and see the squares.

Do you create a solid invisible actor and apply it to your background in this manner?

Thanks

Socks

I can't quite figure out how to make the ground actor actually be...well, ground.

If you want a ground actor to be immovable then in it's attributes - under 'Physics' - switch 'Movable' off.

Socks

Is the 'solid' actor an invisible actor that acts as a mask of sorts

What 'solid' actor ?

shollis2814

In the Platformer Template there is an actor that is an empty box named 'solid'. When you click on the background in the scene, you can see those boxes wherever there is solid ground. You delete that box, and the player actor falls through.

Socks

@shollis2814

Ok, I see, I don't know that template.

PaxPax

... Instead of walking, the character floats...

I cannot quite understand what you are asking from your post. That said, regarding the above line concerning floating and walking... perhaps you are referencing the difference between 'move' behaviour and 'accelerate' behaviour as I can see how you could refer to their movement as 'walking' vs 'floating'. Wild Guess.

jamie_c

Hi @shollis2814, you might find a couple tutorials at my site useful, they are both about creating a platformer from scratch. The series is not complete yet, but check them out if you have time.

http://www.jamie-cross.net/?portfolio=gamesalad-recipe-001-basic-platformer-movement

http://www.jamie-cross.net/?portfolio=gamesalad-recipe-002-graphics-and-animation